No Shame
I was thinking about shame and how it can destroy us, and I came across this verse in the Bible.
But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Psalms 3:3 (NLT)
It made me think about shame and how we react to it. You know the drill. You drop your head and roll it down and away. As your shoulders slump, you let out a deep sigh. You talk, but it is without eye contact, constantly fighting looking down and away again. It is worse than a feeling of guilt. With guilt, you can confess your wrongdoing. Shame is deeper. It isn’t about “doing,” it’s about “being.”
How do you repent of being something you are so ashamed of? How can you renew something so broken, so damaged, so worthless? Shame, more than an emotion, is a deeply worn brain map, a trait, a feeling that you are totally unworthy. But then there is God. God, who comes and lifts your head and whispers deep into your soul, “Don’t call what I have created, worthless.” God, whose love for you can soften the calloused skin around your heart and begin to birth new life. God who bestows glory on you. Our Lord God is the shame slayer.
Today, let God lift your head. And when He does, gaze into His face. Feel the glory He has given you. Let it radiate deep into your soul and believe. Believe you are loved. Believe that you were created for His glory and that your shame is a lie, a false belief, a shame given to you by others. Let Him tenderly lift your head and take away your shame.
Pray with me;
Dear Father, I have felt such a deep sense of shame. I bring it to you today and ask You to banish it. Lift my head and let me see Your face. Let Your deep love penetrate my heart and set me free. Today, let me see myself the way You do. In Jesus’ Name.
AMEN
Ron Ovitt is an author, ordained minister, pastoral counselor, recovery coach, and President of Empower Ministry. Besides his lifetime experience of teaching and preaching, Ron has given over 500 lectures on habits, addictions, and emotional & spiritual-related topics. For information on his books, videos, and podcasts, go to www.ronovitt.com<http://www.ronovitt.com>
Photo by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash
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